In order to assess college students'overall language proficiency,a new format,banked cloze,is included in the revised CET-4.Based on the previous studies on banked cloze in China,this paper discusses on how to con...In order to assess college students'overall language proficiency,a new format,banked cloze,is included in the revised CET-4.Based on the previous studies on banked cloze in China,this paper discusses on how to construct highly valid CET-4 banked cloze in line with the revised CET Syllabus(2006).展开更多
In 2016, there is a reform of the TEM-4 cloze test, which changes from multiple choice cloze test toward banked cloze test. The study takes multiple choice cloze test in 2015 before reform and bank cloze test after re...In 2016, there is a reform of the TEM-4 cloze test, which changes from multiple choice cloze test toward banked cloze test. The study takes multiple choice cloze test in 2015 before reform and bank cloze test after reform in 2016 as research subjects, and research data are from true test results of 48 test-takers. The performance analysis was done by using FACETS(Version 2.7) and SPSS 19.0. This research aims at exploring the relationships between two different cloze forms and the differentiated performance of test-takers, and also testing reliability and validity of two cloze forms. Results show that multiple choice cloze test and banked cloze test have great difference on reflecting test-takers' English ability. Banked cloze test can better reflect test-takers' English ability if more items are added.展开更多
AIM: Hyperglycemia commonly seen in liver transplantation (LT) has often been attributed to the dextrose in the storage solution of blood transfusion products. The purpose of the study is to compare the changes of the...AIM: Hyperglycemia commonly seen in liver transplantation (LT) has often been attributed to the dextrose in the storage solution of blood transfusion products. The purpose of the study is to compare the changes of the blood glucose levels in transfused and non-transfused patients during LT. METHODS: A retrospective study on 60 biliary pediatric patients and 16 adult patients undergoing LT was carried out. Transfused pediatric patients were included in Group Ⅰ (GⅠ), those not transfused in Group Ⅱ (GⅡ). Twelve adult patients were not given transfusion and assigned to Group Ⅲ(GⅢ); whereas, four adult patients who received massive transfusion were assigned to Group Ⅳ (GⅣ). The blood glucose levels, volume of blood transfused, and the volume of crystalloid infused were recorded, compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Results showed that the changes in blood glucose levels during LT for both non-transfused and minimally transfused pediatric groups and non-transfused and massively-transfused adult groups were almost the same. CONCLUSION: We conclude that blood transfusion does not cause significant changes in the blood glucose levels in this study.展开更多
The present study investigates the testees' test-taking process for banked cloze, focusing on the following two aspects: the information sources and strategies. Employing simultaneous introspection and immediate r...The present study investigates the testees' test-taking process for banked cloze, focusing on the following two aspects: the information sources and strategies. Employing simultaneous introspection and immediate retrospection, the study is conducted among 18 non-English major students. After examining their test-taking processes, a framework for analyzing testees' test-taking processes for banked cloze test is put forward. And then the researcher applies this framework to analyze the testees' protocols. Results show that regarding information sources, clause-level information accounts for the largest proportion, followed by text-level information, sentence-level information and extra-textual information, and in terms of strategies, the testees show a clear preference for bottom-up processing strategies, followed by top-down processing strategies and test-wise processing strategies. The verbal protocols have further revealed that the proficient readers seem to have a context-based reading model and they prefer to grasp the gist of the text, whereas the less proficient readers often employ word-based approaches and they are apt to identify parts of the text.展开更多
China's Central Bank Injects Liquidity Through Multiple ToolsThe People s Bank of China (PBOC),the country's central bank,injected liquidity into the market using multiple tools in November,it said in a statem...China's Central Bank Injects Liquidity Through Multiple ToolsThe People s Bank of China (PBOC),the country's central bank,injected liquidity into the market using multiple tools in November,it said in a statement recently.The PBOC injected RMB 1 trillion (about USD 141.2 billion) through its medium-term lending facility (MLF) over the last month and withdrew RMB 900billion,resulting in a net injection of RMB 100 billion,the bank said.展开更多
Overall bank performance in a particular year or period is important to all banking industry stakeholders,as it indicates their success or failure relative to predetermined targets.Due to conflicting criteria and unce...Overall bank performance in a particular year or period is important to all banking industry stakeholders,as it indicates their success or failure relative to predetermined targets.Due to conflicting criteria and uncertainties,assessing bank performance is a complicated decision-making problem.The current paper proposes the Fuzzy Level Based Weight Assessment(F-LBWA),the Fuzzy Logarithm Methodology of Additive Weights(F-LMAW),and the Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution(MARCOS)combination as a practical and robust decisionmaking tool to cope with many complex ambiguities.In the first phase,the suggested hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making(MCDM)approach estimates the weight coefficients of the performance criteria with the aid of a combined version of the F-LBWA and F-LMAW methods.In the second phase,the MARCOS method determines the ranking performance of the decision alternatives.The introduced model is tested and validated on a case study assessing publicly traded bank performance in Pakistan.The findings obtained from the sensitivity analysis revealed that the presented F-LBWAF-LMAW-MARCOS approach produces consistent solutions and is a reliable and effective procedure in rational decision-making.展开更多
We often hear statements like“the market raises expectations for central bank interest rate cuts,resulting in higher commodity prices”.Given the current situation,the People’s Bank of China might adopt a more accom...We often hear statements like“the market raises expectations for central bank interest rate cuts,resulting in higher commodity prices”.Given the current situation,the People’s Bank of China might adopt a more accommodative monetary policy to mitigate the impact of the China-U.S.trade friction.Will this further easing of the monetary environment lead to an increase in natural gas prices?展开更多
The Leymus chinensis grassland is one of themost widely distributed associations in the warmtemperate grassland and due to overgrazing in recent years,it has experienced varying degrees of degradation.Vegetative regen...The Leymus chinensis grassland is one of themost widely distributed associations in the warmtemperate grassland and due to overgrazing in recent years,it has experienced varying degrees of degradation.Vegetative regeneration via bud banks serves as the primaryway of vegetation reproduction in the L.chinensis grassland ecosystem.However,the role of the bud bank in the vegetation regeneration of grazing grassland remains unclear.Based on the relationship between the under-ground bud bank and above-ground vegetation of L.chinensis grassland under different grazing stages,this study aimed to explore whether the grazing grassland could self-recover through the existing bud bank.The findings revealed that the bud density initially increased and then decreased with increasing grazing intensity,indicating that appropriate grazing promoted vegetation renewal.Moreover,grazing significantly influenced the composition of the bud bank:during the early grazing stage,the rhizome buds accounted for the main part,and tiller buds dominated during the mid-stage grazing;while during the late-stage grazing,root-sprouting buds prevailed.The meristem restriction index for light,moderate,and heavy grazing grasslands was close to one;conversely,overgrazing and extreme overgrazing grasslands exhibited the highermeristemrestriction index(2.00,3.19),suggesting that plant regeneration was constrained by bud banks under light-grazing conditions where regenerate rates failed to meet above-ground modular’s recovery requirements following overgrazing and extreme overgrazing events.Consequently,moderate grazing grasslands could achieve natural community recovery by continuously adjusting their vegetative regeneration strategies.Understanding the role of bud banks in vegetative regeneration in grazing grassland will not only supply theoretical support for the ecological succession process of degraded grassland but also provide practical experience for the sustainable management of the L.chinensis grassland ecosystem.展开更多
This study aims to identify the key factors influencing the adoption of generative AI(GenAI)by Vietnamese banks and highlight the challenges and opportunities in digital transformation.It extends the technology-organi...This study aims to identify the key factors influencing the adoption of generative AI(GenAI)by Vietnamese banks and highlight the challenges and opportunities in digital transformation.It extends the technology-organization-environment(TOE)framework to incorporate GenAI-specific factors in the Vietnamese banking sector,characterized by rapid digitization and stringent regulations.A survey yielded 236 valid responses.The data were analyzed via partial least squares structural equation modeling(PLSSEM).The key factors identified include organizational readiness(OR),compatibility(CPT),competitive pressure(CP),complexity(CPL),relative advantage(RA),firm size(FS),and government support(GS).OR emerged as the most influential factor because of a robust IT infrastructure and skilled personnel.CPT and CP were also significant,driving banks to adopt GenAI for a competitive edge.However,CPL presents challenges,requiring simpler AI solutions and clear risk mitigation policies.This study enhances the understanding of GenAI adoption within the Vietnamese banking sector,emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies for different bank sizes and the critical role of technology readiness for effective integration.The findings provide actionable insights into banks navigating their digital transformation journeys.展开更多
The optimal allocation of foreign resources requires a minimum level of domestic development,including financial development to benefit from the potential benefits of foreign direct investment.This study discusses the...The optimal allocation of foreign resources requires a minimum level of domestic development,including financial development to benefit from the potential benefits of foreign direct investment.This study discusses the mediating role of financial development in the effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth and establishes the banking sector threshold for the 18 least developed African countries over the period 2000 to 2020.We used the generalized method of moments(GMM)and the threshold regression(TR)as part of the dynamic panel data model.The results show the non-significant contribution of foreign direct investment and the banking sector to economic growth.After interaction,the effect of foreign direct investment becomes positive but not significant.However,the coefficient of the interaction variable is significantly negative.This implies that the financial system is unable to allocate foreign resources efficiently.For this reason,this paper resorted to applying the threshold regression to determine the minimum threshold of the banking sector and established a threshold of 74.58%.It therefore becomes necessary for the 18 least developed African countries to develop the financial system in order to get full benefits of foreign direct investment.展开更多
Amid the deepening implementation of rural revitalization strategies and rapid fintech development,rural commercial banks-core financial institutions serving agriculture,rural areas,and farmers(the“three rurals”)and...Amid the deepening implementation of rural revitalization strategies and rapid fintech development,rural commercial banks-core financial institutions serving agriculture,rural areas,and farmers(the“three rurals”)and county economies-have seen their tellers’service quality and operational efficiency directly impact market competitiveness and sustainable development capabilities.This study examines teller performance management in rural commercial banks from a business management perspective.By analyzing structural issues in existing performance management systems and integrating theoretical frameworks with industry case studies,it proposes systematic optimization measures.The research aims to provide practical references for establishing scientific and efficient teller performance management systems in rural commercial banks,thereby enhancing service quality,strengthening talent support,and better serving the rural financial market.展开更多
Reconfiguration,as well as optimal utilization of distributed generation sources and capacitor banks,are highly effective methods for reducing losses and improving the voltage profile,or in other words,the power quali...Reconfiguration,as well as optimal utilization of distributed generation sources and capacitor banks,are highly effective methods for reducing losses and improving the voltage profile,or in other words,the power quality in the power distribution system.Researchers have considered the use of distributed generation resources in recent years.There are numerous advantages to utilizing these resources,the most significant of which are the reduction of network losses and enhancement of voltage stability.Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II(NSGA-II),Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization(MOPSO),and Intersect Mutation Differential Evolution(IMDE)algorithms are used in this paper to perform optimal reconfiguration,simultaneous location,and capacity determination of distributed generation resources and capacitor banks.Three scenarios were used to replicate the studies.The reconfiguration of the switches,as well as the location and determination of the capacitor bank’s optimal capacity,were investigated in this scenario.However,in the third scenario,reconfiguration,and determining the location and capacity of the Distributed Generation(DG)resources and capacitor banks have been carried out simultaneously.Finally,the simulation results of these three algorithms are compared.The results indicate that the proposed NSGAII algorithm outperformed the other two multi-objective algorithms and was capable of maintaining smaller objective functions in all scenarios.Specifically,the energy losses were reduced from 211 to 51.35 kW(a 75.66%reduction),119.13 kW(a 43.54%reduction),and 23.13 kW(an 89.04%reduction),while the voltage stability index(VSI)decreased from 6.96 to 2.105,1.239,and 1.257,respectively,demonstrating significant improvement in the voltage profile.展开更多
During the construction of bank slopes involving pile driving,ensuring slope stability is crucial.This requires the design of appropriate support systems and a thorough evaluation of the failure mechanisms of pile str...During the construction of bank slopes involving pile driving,ensuring slope stability is crucial.This requires the design of appropriate support systems and a thorough evaluation of the failure mechanisms of pile structures under dynamic loading conditions.Based on the Huarong Coal Wharf project,various support schemes are analyzed using numerical simulation methods to calculate and compare slope stability coefficients.The optimal scheme is then identified.Under the selected support scheme,a numerical model of double-row suspended steel sheet piles is developed to investigate the dynamic response of the pile structures under pile driving loads.A time-history analysis is performed to assess the slope’s dynamic stability.The results show that the maximum displacements of the upper and lower steel sheet pile rows are 2.51 and 3.14 cm,respectively.The maximum principal stresses remain below 20 MPa in both rows,while the maximum von Mises stresses are 20.85 MPa for the upper row and 25.40 MPa for the lower row.The dominant frequencies of the steel sheet pile structures fall between 30 and 35 Hz,with a frequency bandwidth ranging from 0 to 500 Hz.The stability coefficient of the pile structures varies over time during the pile driving process,ultimately reaching a value of 1.26—exceeding the required safety threshold.This research provides practical guidance for designing support systems in wharf piling projects and offers a reliable basis for evaluating the safety performance of steel sheet piles in bank slopes.展开更多
With the advancement of globalization,South Korea has become a key destination for international students.However,these students often face challenges in adapting to daily life,particularly when using mobile banking a...With the advancement of globalization,South Korea has become a key destination for international students.However,these students often face challenges in adapting to daily life,particularly when using mobile banking applications,due to insufficient language support,cultural differences,and complex operational procedures.This study focuses on Chinese international students and analyzes the UI/UX design of mobile banking applications offered by Kookmin Bank and Hana Bank.Through literature reviews and surveys,the study identifies limitations in language adaptability,functionality layout,user interaction,and cultural adaptation,proposing concrete design improvements.The findings indicate that optimizing UI/UX design can significantly enhance international students’user experience and strengthen the global competitiveness of South Korean mobile banking services.This research provides reference material for designing for multicultural user groups and aims to promote research and practice in cross-cultural UI/UX design.展开更多
Although numerous studies have examined the impact of ESG practices on bank profitability,the results remain inconclusive,underscoring the importance of analyzing ESG components separately.This study examines the impa...Although numerous studies have examined the impact of ESG practices on bank profitability,the results remain inconclusive,underscoring the importance of analyzing ESG components separately.This study examines the impact of ESG performance—in each of its individual dimensions—on the profitability of 192 European listed banks over the period 2009–2019,a critical decade following the 2008 global financial crisis.Via a panel regression model,the findings suggest that environmental practices deliver more immediate benefits.While governance practices are vital for ensuring stability,they do not appear to be sufficient to drive short-term variations in profitability.Moreover,social practices are negatively related to profitability.To address this finding,this study adopts the One Health approach,fostering the need for policy-makers and bank managers to integrate this perspective into bank’s approach to sustainability in a more holistic and forward-thinking vision of social responsibility via the exploitation of specialized expertise.展开更多
In Chinese tradition,the term“耄耋”(Mào Dié)refers to those in their nineties,a stage of life associated with wisdom and longevity.As the Bank of China Singapore Branch(BOCSG)approaches its 90th anniversar...In Chinese tradition,the term“耄耋”(Mào Dié)refers to those in their nineties,a stage of life associated with wisdom and longevity.As the Bank of China Singapore Branch(BOCSG)approaches its 90th anniversary,this expression captures the spirit of an institution that has stood the test of time.Since its establishment in Singapore in 1936,the BOCSG has maintained a strong and enduring presence not only in Singapore but across Southeast Asia,serving as a bridge between China and Singapore,and more broadly,between China and the ASEAN region.Its continued growth has been underpinned by the mutual prosperity of both economies and the strength of their longstanding and harmonious ties.展开更多
The distribution networks sometimes suffer from excessive losses and voltage violations in densely populated areas. The aim of the present study is to improve the performance of a distribution network by successively ...The distribution networks sometimes suffer from excessive losses and voltage violations in densely populated areas. The aim of the present study is to improve the performance of a distribution network by successively applying mono-capacitor positioning, multiple positioning and reconfiguration processes using GA-based algorithms implemented in a Matlab environment. From the diagnostic study of this network, it was observed that a minimum voltage of 0.90 pu induces a voltage deviation of 5.26%, followed by active and reactive losses of 425.08 kW and 435.09 kVAR, respectively. Single placement with the NSGAII resulted in the placement of a 3000 kVAR capacitor at node 128, which proved to be the invariably neuralgic point. Multiple placements resulted in a 21.55% reduction in losses and a 0.74% regression in voltage profile performance. After topology optimization, the loss profile improved by 65.08% and the voltage profile improved by 1.05%. Genetic algorithms are efficient and effective tools for improving the performance of distribution networks, whose degradation is often dynamic due to the natural variability of loads.展开更多
In this study,we investigate the extent to which sustainability disclosures in the narrative sections of European banks’annual reports improve analysts’forecasting accuracy.We capture sustainability disclosures with...In this study,we investigate the extent to which sustainability disclosures in the narrative sections of European banks’annual reports improve analysts’forecasting accuracy.We capture sustainability disclosures with a machine learning approach and use forecast errors as a proxy for analysts’forecast accuracy.Our results suggest that sustainability disclosures significantly improve analysts’forecasting accuracy by reducing forecast errors.In a further analysis,we also find that the introduction of Directive 2014/95/European Union is associated with increased disclosure content,which reduces forecast error.Collectively,our results suggest that sustainability disclosures improve forecast accuracy,and the introduction of the new EU directive strengthens this improvement.These results hold after several robustness tests.Our findings have important implications for market participants and policymakers.展开更多
文摘In order to assess college students'overall language proficiency,a new format,banked cloze,is included in the revised CET-4.Based on the previous studies on banked cloze in China,this paper discusses on how to construct highly valid CET-4 banked cloze in line with the revised CET Syllabus(2006).
文摘In 2016, there is a reform of the TEM-4 cloze test, which changes from multiple choice cloze test toward banked cloze test. The study takes multiple choice cloze test in 2015 before reform and bank cloze test after reform in 2016 as research subjects, and research data are from true test results of 48 test-takers. The performance analysis was done by using FACETS(Version 2.7) and SPSS 19.0. This research aims at exploring the relationships between two different cloze forms and the differentiated performance of test-takers, and also testing reliability and validity of two cloze forms. Results show that multiple choice cloze test and banked cloze test have great difference on reflecting test-takers' English ability. Banked cloze test can better reflect test-takers' English ability if more items are added.
文摘AIM: Hyperglycemia commonly seen in liver transplantation (LT) has often been attributed to the dextrose in the storage solution of blood transfusion products. The purpose of the study is to compare the changes of the blood glucose levels in transfused and non-transfused patients during LT. METHODS: A retrospective study on 60 biliary pediatric patients and 16 adult patients undergoing LT was carried out. Transfused pediatric patients were included in Group Ⅰ (GⅠ), those not transfused in Group Ⅱ (GⅡ). Twelve adult patients were not given transfusion and assigned to Group Ⅲ(GⅢ); whereas, four adult patients who received massive transfusion were assigned to Group Ⅳ (GⅣ). The blood glucose levels, volume of blood transfused, and the volume of crystalloid infused were recorded, compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Results showed that the changes in blood glucose levels during LT for both non-transfused and minimally transfused pediatric groups and non-transfused and massively-transfused adult groups were almost the same. CONCLUSION: We conclude that blood transfusion does not cause significant changes in the blood glucose levels in this study.
基金a small part of the research project,"A Chronological Study on the CET Washback"(07BYY030)National Philosophy and Social Science Foundation of China
文摘The present study investigates the testees' test-taking process for banked cloze, focusing on the following two aspects: the information sources and strategies. Employing simultaneous introspection and immediate retrospection, the study is conducted among 18 non-English major students. After examining their test-taking processes, a framework for analyzing testees' test-taking processes for banked cloze test is put forward. And then the researcher applies this framework to analyze the testees' protocols. Results show that regarding information sources, clause-level information accounts for the largest proportion, followed by text-level information, sentence-level information and extra-textual information, and in terms of strategies, the testees show a clear preference for bottom-up processing strategies, followed by top-down processing strategies and test-wise processing strategies. The verbal protocols have further revealed that the proficient readers seem to have a context-based reading model and they prefer to grasp the gist of the text, whereas the less proficient readers often employ word-based approaches and they are apt to identify parts of the text.
文摘China's Central Bank Injects Liquidity Through Multiple ToolsThe People s Bank of China (PBOC),the country's central bank,injected liquidity into the market using multiple tools in November,it said in a statement recently.The PBOC injected RMB 1 trillion (about USD 141.2 billion) through its medium-term lending facility (MLF) over the last month and withdrew RMB 900billion,resulting in a net injection of RMB 100 billion,the bank said.
文摘Overall bank performance in a particular year or period is important to all banking industry stakeholders,as it indicates their success or failure relative to predetermined targets.Due to conflicting criteria and uncertainties,assessing bank performance is a complicated decision-making problem.The current paper proposes the Fuzzy Level Based Weight Assessment(F-LBWA),the Fuzzy Logarithm Methodology of Additive Weights(F-LMAW),and the Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution(MARCOS)combination as a practical and robust decisionmaking tool to cope with many complex ambiguities.In the first phase,the suggested hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making(MCDM)approach estimates the weight coefficients of the performance criteria with the aid of a combined version of the F-LBWA and F-LMAW methods.In the second phase,the MARCOS method determines the ranking performance of the decision alternatives.The introduced model is tested and validated on a case study assessing publicly traded bank performance in Pakistan.The findings obtained from the sensitivity analysis revealed that the presented F-LBWAF-LMAW-MARCOS approach produces consistent solutions and is a reliable and effective procedure in rational decision-making.
文摘We often hear statements like“the market raises expectations for central bank interest rate cuts,resulting in higher commodity prices”.Given the current situation,the People’s Bank of China might adopt a more accommodative monetary policy to mitigate the impact of the China-U.S.trade friction.Will this further easing of the monetary environment lead to an increase in natural gas prices?
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42377458 and 41907411).
文摘The Leymus chinensis grassland is one of themost widely distributed associations in the warmtemperate grassland and due to overgrazing in recent years,it has experienced varying degrees of degradation.Vegetative regeneration via bud banks serves as the primaryway of vegetation reproduction in the L.chinensis grassland ecosystem.However,the role of the bud bank in the vegetation regeneration of grazing grassland remains unclear.Based on the relationship between the under-ground bud bank and above-ground vegetation of L.chinensis grassland under different grazing stages,this study aimed to explore whether the grazing grassland could self-recover through the existing bud bank.The findings revealed that the bud density initially increased and then decreased with increasing grazing intensity,indicating that appropriate grazing promoted vegetation renewal.Moreover,grazing significantly influenced the composition of the bud bank:during the early grazing stage,the rhizome buds accounted for the main part,and tiller buds dominated during the mid-stage grazing;while during the late-stage grazing,root-sprouting buds prevailed.The meristem restriction index for light,moderate,and heavy grazing grasslands was close to one;conversely,overgrazing and extreme overgrazing grasslands exhibited the highermeristemrestriction index(2.00,3.19),suggesting that plant regeneration was constrained by bud banks under light-grazing conditions where regenerate rates failed to meet above-ground modular’s recovery requirements following overgrazing and extreme overgrazing events.Consequently,moderate grazing grasslands could achieve natural community recovery by continuously adjusting their vegetative regeneration strategies.Understanding the role of bud banks in vegetative regeneration in grazing grassland will not only supply theoretical support for the ecological succession process of degraded grassland but also provide practical experience for the sustainable management of the L.chinensis grassland ecosystem.
文摘This study aims to identify the key factors influencing the adoption of generative AI(GenAI)by Vietnamese banks and highlight the challenges and opportunities in digital transformation.It extends the technology-organization-environment(TOE)framework to incorporate GenAI-specific factors in the Vietnamese banking sector,characterized by rapid digitization and stringent regulations.A survey yielded 236 valid responses.The data were analyzed via partial least squares structural equation modeling(PLSSEM).The key factors identified include organizational readiness(OR),compatibility(CPT),competitive pressure(CP),complexity(CPL),relative advantage(RA),firm size(FS),and government support(GS).OR emerged as the most influential factor because of a robust IT infrastructure and skilled personnel.CPT and CP were also significant,driving banks to adopt GenAI for a competitive edge.However,CPL presents challenges,requiring simpler AI solutions and clear risk mitigation policies.This study enhances the understanding of GenAI adoption within the Vietnamese banking sector,emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies for different bank sizes and the critical role of technology readiness for effective integration.The findings provide actionable insights into banks navigating their digital transformation journeys.
文摘The optimal allocation of foreign resources requires a minimum level of domestic development,including financial development to benefit from the potential benefits of foreign direct investment.This study discusses the mediating role of financial development in the effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth and establishes the banking sector threshold for the 18 least developed African countries over the period 2000 to 2020.We used the generalized method of moments(GMM)and the threshold regression(TR)as part of the dynamic panel data model.The results show the non-significant contribution of foreign direct investment and the banking sector to economic growth.After interaction,the effect of foreign direct investment becomes positive but not significant.However,the coefficient of the interaction variable is significantly negative.This implies that the financial system is unable to allocate foreign resources efficiently.For this reason,this paper resorted to applying the threshold regression to determine the minimum threshold of the banking sector and established a threshold of 74.58%.It therefore becomes necessary for the 18 least developed African countries to develop the financial system in order to get full benefits of foreign direct investment.
文摘Amid the deepening implementation of rural revitalization strategies and rapid fintech development,rural commercial banks-core financial institutions serving agriculture,rural areas,and farmers(the“three rurals”)and county economies-have seen their tellers’service quality and operational efficiency directly impact market competitiveness and sustainable development capabilities.This study examines teller performance management in rural commercial banks from a business management perspective.By analyzing structural issues in existing performance management systems and integrating theoretical frameworks with industry case studies,it proposes systematic optimization measures.The research aims to provide practical references for establishing scientific and efficient teller performance management systems in rural commercial banks,thereby enhancing service quality,strengthening talent support,and better serving the rural financial market.
文摘Reconfiguration,as well as optimal utilization of distributed generation sources and capacitor banks,are highly effective methods for reducing losses and improving the voltage profile,or in other words,the power quality in the power distribution system.Researchers have considered the use of distributed generation resources in recent years.There are numerous advantages to utilizing these resources,the most significant of which are the reduction of network losses and enhancement of voltage stability.Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II(NSGA-II),Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization(MOPSO),and Intersect Mutation Differential Evolution(IMDE)algorithms are used in this paper to perform optimal reconfiguration,simultaneous location,and capacity determination of distributed generation resources and capacitor banks.Three scenarios were used to replicate the studies.The reconfiguration of the switches,as well as the location and determination of the capacitor bank’s optimal capacity,were investigated in this scenario.However,in the third scenario,reconfiguration,and determining the location and capacity of the Distributed Generation(DG)resources and capacitor banks have been carried out simultaneously.Finally,the simulation results of these three algorithms are compared.The results indicate that the proposed NSGAII algorithm outperformed the other two multi-objective algorithms and was capable of maintaining smaller objective functions in all scenarios.Specifically,the energy losses were reduced from 211 to 51.35 kW(a 75.66%reduction),119.13 kW(a 43.54%reduction),and 23.13 kW(an 89.04%reduction),while the voltage stability index(VSI)decreased from 6.96 to 2.105,1.239,and 1.257,respectively,demonstrating significant improvement in the voltage profile.
基金sponsored by Natural Science Research Project of Anhui Educational Committee(GrantNo.2022AH050810),NationalNatural Science Foundation of China(GrantNos.42402276,41972286,42072309,42102329)State Key Laboratory of Precision Blasting and Hubei Key Laboratory of Blasting Engineering,Jianghan University(No.PBSKL2023A1)the Open Fund of National Center for International Research on Deep Earth Drilling and Resource Development(No.DEDRD-2023-02).
文摘During the construction of bank slopes involving pile driving,ensuring slope stability is crucial.This requires the design of appropriate support systems and a thorough evaluation of the failure mechanisms of pile structures under dynamic loading conditions.Based on the Huarong Coal Wharf project,various support schemes are analyzed using numerical simulation methods to calculate and compare slope stability coefficients.The optimal scheme is then identified.Under the selected support scheme,a numerical model of double-row suspended steel sheet piles is developed to investigate the dynamic response of the pile structures under pile driving loads.A time-history analysis is performed to assess the slope’s dynamic stability.The results show that the maximum displacements of the upper and lower steel sheet pile rows are 2.51 and 3.14 cm,respectively.The maximum principal stresses remain below 20 MPa in both rows,while the maximum von Mises stresses are 20.85 MPa for the upper row and 25.40 MPa for the lower row.The dominant frequencies of the steel sheet pile structures fall between 30 and 35 Hz,with a frequency bandwidth ranging from 0 to 500 Hz.The stability coefficient of the pile structures varies over time during the pile driving process,ultimately reaching a value of 1.26—exceeding the required safety threshold.This research provides practical guidance for designing support systems in wharf piling projects and offers a reliable basis for evaluating the safety performance of steel sheet piles in bank slopes.
文摘With the advancement of globalization,South Korea has become a key destination for international students.However,these students often face challenges in adapting to daily life,particularly when using mobile banking applications,due to insufficient language support,cultural differences,and complex operational procedures.This study focuses on Chinese international students and analyzes the UI/UX design of mobile banking applications offered by Kookmin Bank and Hana Bank.Through literature reviews and surveys,the study identifies limitations in language adaptability,functionality layout,user interaction,and cultural adaptation,proposing concrete design improvements.The findings indicate that optimizing UI/UX design can significantly enhance international students’user experience and strengthen the global competitiveness of South Korean mobile banking services.This research provides reference material for designing for multicultural user groups and aims to promote research and practice in cross-cultural UI/UX design.
基金ARD receives support within the GRINS project–Growing Resilient,INclusive and Sustainable from the European Union Next-Generation EU(GRINS PE00000018,CUP:H23C24000110006,Spoke 4 Sustainable Finance)PT received research support by a grant from the Italian Research Center on High Performance Computing,Big Data and Quantum Computing(ICSC)funded by EU-Next Generation EU(PNRR-HPC,CUP:C83C22000560007).
文摘Although numerous studies have examined the impact of ESG practices on bank profitability,the results remain inconclusive,underscoring the importance of analyzing ESG components separately.This study examines the impact of ESG performance—in each of its individual dimensions—on the profitability of 192 European listed banks over the period 2009–2019,a critical decade following the 2008 global financial crisis.Via a panel regression model,the findings suggest that environmental practices deliver more immediate benefits.While governance practices are vital for ensuring stability,they do not appear to be sufficient to drive short-term variations in profitability.Moreover,social practices are negatively related to profitability.To address this finding,this study adopts the One Health approach,fostering the need for policy-makers and bank managers to integrate this perspective into bank’s approach to sustainability in a more holistic and forward-thinking vision of social responsibility via the exploitation of specialized expertise.
文摘In Chinese tradition,the term“耄耋”(Mào Dié)refers to those in their nineties,a stage of life associated with wisdom and longevity.As the Bank of China Singapore Branch(BOCSG)approaches its 90th anniversary,this expression captures the spirit of an institution that has stood the test of time.Since its establishment in Singapore in 1936,the BOCSG has maintained a strong and enduring presence not only in Singapore but across Southeast Asia,serving as a bridge between China and Singapore,and more broadly,between China and the ASEAN region.Its continued growth has been underpinned by the mutual prosperity of both economies and the strength of their longstanding and harmonious ties.
文摘The distribution networks sometimes suffer from excessive losses and voltage violations in densely populated areas. The aim of the present study is to improve the performance of a distribution network by successively applying mono-capacitor positioning, multiple positioning and reconfiguration processes using GA-based algorithms implemented in a Matlab environment. From the diagnostic study of this network, it was observed that a minimum voltage of 0.90 pu induces a voltage deviation of 5.26%, followed by active and reactive losses of 425.08 kW and 435.09 kVAR, respectively. Single placement with the NSGAII resulted in the placement of a 3000 kVAR capacitor at node 128, which proved to be the invariably neuralgic point. Multiple placements resulted in a 21.55% reduction in losses and a 0.74% regression in voltage profile performance. After topology optimization, the loss profile improved by 65.08% and the voltage profile improved by 1.05%. Genetic algorithms are efficient and effective tools for improving the performance of distribution networks, whose degradation is often dynamic due to the natural variability of loads.
文摘In this study,we investigate the extent to which sustainability disclosures in the narrative sections of European banks’annual reports improve analysts’forecasting accuracy.We capture sustainability disclosures with a machine learning approach and use forecast errors as a proxy for analysts’forecast accuracy.Our results suggest that sustainability disclosures significantly improve analysts’forecasting accuracy by reducing forecast errors.In a further analysis,we also find that the introduction of Directive 2014/95/European Union is associated with increased disclosure content,which reduces forecast error.Collectively,our results suggest that sustainability disclosures improve forecast accuracy,and the introduction of the new EU directive strengthens this improvement.These results hold after several robustness tests.Our findings have important implications for market participants and policymakers.
